Father God, my mind is open to Your Thoughts, and closed today to every thought but Yours. I rule my mind, and offer it to You. Accept my precious gift, for it is Yours to me. Amen and Amen.
07/13/2017 OCM-83656272 {Member of ULC 9/23/22
7545620-0414Susan Ruth Robertson202004377}
Isaiah 9:6–7 is like a sunrise in scripture. Every name in that verse is a doorway into who Jesus is, not just in history, but in the quiet corners of our lives right now.
Here’s a little reflection to carry with you today:
“For unto us:” Not to the world in general, but to us, personally, intimately, lovingly. A gift placed into human hands.
“A child is born:” He came small so we would never be afraid to come close.
“A son is given:” Given freely. Given fully. Given forever.
“Wonderful Counsellor:” The One who understands every unspoken thought.
“Mighty God:” Strength wrapped in swaddling cloth.
“Everlasting Father:” The heart of God revealed in the face of a child.
“Prince of Peace:” Peace not as the world gives, but peace that settles the soul.
May you have a day touched by that same peace. A day where His light feels near, His counsel feels clear, and His love feels personal.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: – Luke 1:30-32
“Fear not, Mary…” Heaven’s first message to her is the same message God still whispers to us: Do not be afraid. Before the miracle, before the calling, before the responsibility, grace comes first.
“Thou hast found favor with God.” Not earned. Not achieved. Found. Favor that rests on her before she ever carries Christ in her womb — the same favor that rests on us because of the One she would carry.
“Thou shalt call his name JESUS.” A name that means The Lord saves. Before He speaks a word, before He performs a miracle, His very name declares His mission.
“He shall be great… the Son of the Highes” Greatness defined not by power, but by humility, the Highest choosing to come through the lowliest door.
“The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” A promise kept. A kingdom not built by force, but by love. A throne not of gold, but of a cross, and then an empty tomb.
The angel’s gesture, Mary’s bowed head. It’s the stillness before the miracle, the hush before heaven sings.
I hope your day unfolds with a little light, a little peace, lots of Joy and maybe even a spark of inspiration of being Jesus to someone and being care full.
’Twas the Night Before Jesus Was Born‘
’Twas, the night before Christmas, and all through the earth, not a creature was stirring, awaiting His birth. The prophecies whispered, the stars held their breath, as heaven prepared for love’s holy descent.
The stable was silent, the hay softly laid, while Mary and Joseph knelt humbly and prayed. No sleigh bells, no reindeer, no stockings, no tree, just the hush of a promise, and grace’s decree.
The shepherds were watching their flocks in the night, when angels burst forth in glorious light. “Fear not,” they proclaimed, “for good news we bring, a Savior is born, Heaven’s own King!”
No chimney, no cookies, no jolly old elf, just Emmanuel coming to dwell with Himself. Not gifts wrapped in paper, but mercy and peace, not toys, but salvation that never will cease.
He came not with magic, but miracles true, not with red velvet, but skies split in blue. The manger His throne, the cross yet to come, The Lamb wrapped in cloth, God’s own Son.
So now when we gather on Christmas Eve night, let candles be lit with His holy light. Let hearts be the hearth where His love is reborn, for Jesus, not Santa, is why we adorn.
Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Beautiful reminder of God with us! Great verse to remind us Jesus is the season and goodness to speak over the day. Isaiah 7:14 is one of those scriptures that feels like a doorway, a promise whispered long before it unfolded, yet carrying the full weight of God’s faithfulness even then. This verse isn’t just prophecy; it’s reassurance. Before the miracle came, before the manger, before the star, God was already declaring His nearness. Immanuel wasn’t only a name; it was a promise that no season, no struggle, no silence would ever separate us from His presence.
Gentle blessing for your day. May the One who came near draw near to you again today, in your thoughts, in your rest, in your daily routine, in your quiet moments. May His presence be your peace, His promise be your strength, and His nearness be your joy.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? – 1 John 3:16-17
This is one of those verses that doesn’t just teach, itreveals. It reminds us that love is not sentiment, not theory, not a warm thought. It is action, sacrifice, and open‑handed compassion. It’s striking how John ties the love of God directly to our willingness to respond to the needs around us. Not out of guilt, but out of the same love that moved Christ to lay down His life. Love and boundaries are not opposites. They are partners.1 John 3:16–17 calls us to active compassion, but it never commands us to become a doormat, a resource, or a rescue plan for people who refuse to take responsibility for their own lives. There’s a difference between:
Carrying someone who won’t help themselves.
Helping someone who truly cannot help themselves, one is Christlike compassion. The other is enabling and scripture never asks you to enable sin, laziness, manipulation, or irresponsibility. Even Jesus set boundaries He fed the hungry, healed the sick, comforted the broken, but He also: walked away from crowds, refused to perform miracles on demand, confronted entitlement, and held people accountable for their choices. Love doesn’t mean unlimited access. Love doesn’t mean letting someone drain your home, your finances, your peace, or your spirit. Statement is biblically sound
We are called to compassion, not exploitation.We are called to generosity, not self-destruction.We are called to love, not to be used.If someone is capable of working, contributing, or standing on their own feet, and they choose not to, that is their stewardship issue, not yours.
“Love With Open Eyes”
I have loved with an open hand, The way Scripture teaches, Bread broken, doors unlatched, A place at the table for anyone hungry.
I have poured out compassion Like oil on weary feet, Believing kindness could soften What life had hardened in others.
But love is not blindness. It is not silence. It is not surrendering my home To those who refuse to stand on their own.
Christ laid down His life, Yes, willingly, wholly, But He never asked me, To lay down my peace For someone else’s comfort.
So, I learned to guard the threshold, To bless and release, To say “no more” without bitterness, To choose stewardship over guilt.
My heart is still open, But my eyes are awake. Compassion still flows, But wisdom walks beside it.
And this, too, is love, The kind that honors God, The kind that protects the sanctuary, He trusted me to keep.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:1-4
What a beautiful way to open the day, The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount always feels like Jesus pulling His disciples close and saying, “Let Me tell you what the Kingdom really looks like.” Those first blessings are so tender: Poor in spirit; the ones who know their need, who come empty‑handed, who lean on God because they’ve run out of their own strength. Those who mourn; the ones carrying loss, grief, or sorrow, yet are promised divine comfort, not just someday, but in the very presence of God drawing near.I hope your day is gentle, steady, and full of small graces that remind you you’re not walking alone.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. – 2 Samuel 22:7
What a beautiful verse to carry into the day. I don’t know about you but it’s one of those lines that feels like it settles right into the bones, steady, unshakable, deeply personal. The image of God hearing you, not vaguely or distantly, but from His temple, with your cry entering His ear, that’s covenant-level reassurance. I don’t know asbout you but I’ve lived enough life to know that distress isn’t theoretical. It has a sound, a weight, a texture. And yet this verse reminds us that none of it disappears into the air. Every cry is received. Every whisper is heard. Every groan is noticed.
“A Thought for Today”
When you call out, you’re not calling into emptiness. You’re calling into Presence. Into a God who bends toward you, who listens with intention, who responds with strength. Your cry is not a burden to Him, it’s an invitation He gladly answers.
I hope you have a truly peaceful day, filled with those small, quiet confirmations that you are heard, held, and guided.
The Spirit rests upon us, not for silence, but for service. To lift the poor, to mend the brokenhearted, to open eyes long shut, to set captives free. This is the acceptable year of the Lord. A time of release, renewal, and rejoicing.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. – Luke 4:18-19
This is such a radiant verse to share. Luke 4:18–19 is a declaration of purpose, Jesus stepping into His mission with authority, compassion, and clarity. It reminds us that the Spirit equips us not just to believe, but to act: to bring good news, healing, freedom, and vision wherever we go.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:11-12
This is such a powerful verse to share. It’s a reminder that the Christian walk isn’t passive, it’s a fight, but one fought with faith, love, patience, and meekness. I love how Paul frames it: not just fleeing from what harms us but actively pursuing righteousness and eternal life.
To desire life is to desire goodness. To love many days is to love peace. Guard your tongue, for words can wound or heal. Turn from evil, and do good. Seek peace, not passively, but pursue it. For in peace, God’s presence dwells.May your day be care full and blessed with miracles after miracles.
"Only Life Changes" 